H.R. 7234 — Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026

This section establishes a Blue Campaign Certification Program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to be implemented not later than one year after enactment, under which DHS—acting through the Blue Campaign Director—solicits annual applications from employers in covered industries (i.e., those with high prevalence of human trafficking where awareness training could have significant impact) from January 31 through April 30, reviews applications in consultation with the Director of Homeland Security Investigations based on evidence of employee training to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking, and issues one-year certificates of completion to eligible employers, publishing recipients in the Federal Register. The section prohibits public display of certificates in a manner conveying a false impression of program completion or current-year certification; authorizes DHS to charge reasonable application fees sufficient to cover program costs; requires annual reports to the House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, beginning two years after enactment, detailing applicant and recipient numbers (including employer names), fees collected and proposed changes, administration costs, and other matters; and defines terms including "employer" (per Fair Labor Standards Act excluding public agencies) and "human trafficking" (per Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000).

This section expands the guidance and training topics of the Blue Campaign—a DHS program that coordinates departmental efforts to combat human trafficking—by adding a requirement for increased coordination with experts from the private sector, academic institutions, and other covered industries (as defined in section 434A).